Evaluation of Pulse Oximetry in the Early Detection of Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease in Newborns

Delayed or missed diagnosis of critical and cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) in asymptomatic newborns may result in significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of pulse oximetry screening performed on the first day of life for the early detection of critical and cyanotic CHD in apparently normal newborns.
This cross-sectional study used postductal pulse oximetry to evaluate term neonates born between 2008 and 2011 with normal physical examinations. Functional oxygen saturation During the study period, totally 3,846 newborns were evaluated. Of the whole study population, 304 (7.9%) babies had a postductal functional saturation Pulse oximetry screening along with clinical examination may be able to assist in the early detection of critical and cyanotic CHD in asymptomatic newborns.